'It was good for rugby league,' says prop who lost testicle in Super League grand final

Paul Wood playing for Warrington Wolves in the Super League grand final despite suffering a ruptured testicle. Photo: Getty Images

Paul Wood took one for the team when he suffered a ruptured testicle playing in the Super League grand final for UK club Warrington Wolves last season, but the prop admits his misfortune has proven a publicity windfall for rugby league in Britain.

The 31-year-old hard man was widely labelled the ‘‘toughest man in sport’’ after playing on to the full-time whistle having suffered the eye-watering injury at the start of the second half.

Not only did the Wolves lose to Leeds, but Wood was rushed to hospital where one of his prized-possessions was surgically removed.

‘‘The reaction was absolutely unbelievable. Everyone wanted to talk to me,’’ said the father-of-two this week as he began pre-season training.

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‘‘It was good for rugby league. It’s probably had more coverage than anything else over the last few years.’’

While the Super League player admits he’s expecting ‘‘some stick’’ about his altered anatomy from opposition, Wood has taken some precautions.‘‘I had a box fitted, but whether I play in it all year I don’t know,’’ he told British newspaper The Telegraph in London.